A high level team from NITI Aayog led by Hon. Member Dr. V K Saraswat & Shri Prashanth Srinivas, Core Committee Member-Methanol (NITI Aayog), visited production facility of GNFC at Bharuch on 27th Dec 2018 for discussing vital points of "Methanol Economy", a driver for Indian fuel efficiency management program.

Dr. V K Saraswat, noted Indian scientist, who also served as the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Indian Ministry of Defence,and currently Hon Member of NITI Aayog, visited production facilities of Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited at Bharuch.

Dr. Saraswat along with Prashanth Guru Srinivas, Executive Director at Catalytic Think Tank Forum, who is actively engaged in charting out roadmap of "Methanol Economy" for India, had detail discussions with Shri M S Dagur, Managing Director GNFC, and senior executives of the company. Dr.Saraswat, while discussing, explained in details about blending program of Methanol in Petrol and DME (Di Methyl Ether) in LPG, thereby reducing import bill. This is also expected to drastically reduce automotive air pollution. Besides this, Cooking stove with Methanol as fuel, which has found tremendous response in Assam, will be replicated in GNFC township and also in some villages of Gujarat where there is limited reach of bottled gas. Possibilities of replacing Methanol as fuel in DG sets, Marine Transportation and in communication tower’s powering were also discussed. There will be huge consumption of Methanol in Army and Agri sector fuel operated machineries.

Shri Nitin Gadkari Hon. Union Cabinet Minister for Road Transport & Shipping has recently announced that he would be presenting Methanol 15% Blending program for the nation shortly in Loksabha in the ongoing parliament session. M15 is expected to bring down the petrol prices by 6~7 Rs.per litre.

Dr. Saraswat said that import of large quantity of Methanol to the tune of over 15 MN MTs spanning 6~7 years, from international market for such blending program and conversion to DME, will be path breaking step. Dr. Saraswat appealed to GNFC for gearing up, to grab this new business opportunity, along with other PSUs like fertilizer giant RCF, Mumbai & Assam Petrochemicals. He also appealed to state PSUs to explore availability of cheaper gas from various Middle East /Gulf countries. This initiative will help country to use it's Methanol production facilities to the fullest extent. He was critical of wastage of gas which is being flared and can be put to effective use.

Dr. Saraswat, impressed with production faciliies at GNFC, congratulated MD Shri Dagur and his team. He said, "GNFC has one of the best operational plant technology and capacity to lead the Methanol as fuel program. He appreciated technical capabilities of GNFC aswellas excellent condition of plants even after 30-35 years of operations." He has suggested many R & D programs from Central Govt. to GNFC for review and implementation. He added that 1000 household "Methanol cooking Fuel Program" should be taken up in GNFC township. Hon. Member advised experienced engineers to guide young and talented engineers to develop design capabilities based on their vast operating experience.
In coming days he expect GNFC to play a significant role in India's Methanol Economy.

Responding to the call of NITI Aayog, Shri M S Dagur, MD, GNFC, confirmed whole hearted support and full involvement of company in such initiatives taken by GOI.